Volvo drivers are people who value quality and safety over
ostentation. They are often liberal, well educated, and upper middle class. Although the cars are pricey to buy and maintain, Volvo drivers see them as works of art--well-made machinery that protects their passengers, other drivers, and even pedestrians from the
hazards of the road. Volvo drivers appreciate the cars' understated comfort and the
manufacturer's concern for the environment. Even so, Volvo drivers have become easy targets for disparagement among those who think that a car that isn't flashy isn't worth owning or who envy the financial means of those who can afford them. Phrases like "tree-hugging, latte-sipping, Volvo-driving liberal elitists" seek to belittle people who care about their safety, their environment, and the value of Scandinavian engineering. An important point is that
Volvos are not yuppie cars. Yuppies like flashier, head-turning cars that announce their owners' wealth. Volvos are preppy cars, generally favored by suburban WASPs, although the
S40 is popular with younger, urban drivers. Like their drivers, Volvos are conservative and understated. If the cars are well cared for, they can last forever, so
Tripp can drive Daddy's 10-year-old Volvo off to college.